In response to the post “Can Christians play poker” the question to ask first of all is why do you play poker? Do you have a tendency to lose more than you win? Is it a need to “feel” like a winner or to “feel” like a loser? Yes a loser. Are you compensating for deeper issues? Fear of failure, success, winning, losing, unknown, rejection, criticism and others. Do you need outside stimulation to feel alive that you matter, that you exist, that you are somebody or in control of your destiny (when you feel your life is out of control or going nowhere). Or do you play the game because it is just a game and let the cards fall where they may.
Do you take God’s name in “vain”. You’ve got all your chips in on a draw to a winning hand and the other player has already made a hand. One more card to go... Are you praying to God?! Please, God…. How do you feel? How do you feel when you missed the draw? How do you feel when you made your winning hand? If it doesn’t matter if you made your hand... When winning or losing doesn’t matter, if you can truly walk away without any remorse or regret then you have attained poker mastery – you’ve become a true Christian – a true human being.
From what I understand “sin” comes from the roman archery term meaning “missing the mark”. If a roman archer misses the mark he makes the necessary adjustments and hits the target. So is the case with us. All sin is, is a mistake. We just have to learn from it and make the necessary adjustments and re-aim and fire. What “sin” are you making playing poker.
Poker is a game. Just a game. It’s the reasons of why we play the “game” that makes it a compulsions or addiction. Is it just for fun, just like playing monopoly or….? Once you identify why you play poker and resolve those issues you’ll play some of the best poker of your life.
Answer your own question. It’s your choice, responsibility and your life. Play to your hearts content if you choose. (Luke 17:21)
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http://www.playfearlesspoker.com